One of the consequences of shutting down the Latvian Radio 4 Russian-language channel formerly operated by Latvian Public Media (LSM) appears to be that in parts of Latvia it has been replaced by Belarusian state media.
Driving through the streets of Daugavpils, you can hear not only local radio stations, but also the Belarusian radio “Radio Belarus”, including an address by dictator Alexandr Lukashenko. The radio station was originally created as part of an effort to improve Belarus’ image abroad. Although the frequency is used in Belarus, the signal also reaches nearby Daugavpils, Latvia’s second-largest city.
In fact, Radio Belarus has currently taken over the frequency that was previously the Latvian Radio 4 frequency in Riga – which is now closed down following a decision to remove Russian-language broadcasting from Latvian public media’s radio and television portfolio. The frequency hasn’t been empty for long, though.
The frequency in question transmitted from Braslav in Belarus, only 20 kilometres from the Latvian border, so is strong.
When driving across the Vienības Bridge in Daugavpils, the radio coverage is very good – although it deteriorates in densely built-up areas, for example, when entering the city center, it is noticeable that the coverage is no longer of such high quality.
Jānis, a resident of Daugavpils, said that when he is driving towards Dagda, Belarusian radio frequencies are frequently heard. “I’m not listening anymore. I just laugh at what they’re saying,” Jānis emphasized.
Sandra, another resident, pointed out that she herself lives next to the Belarusian border. “The reception is good there, we also listen there. I really like it, especially the cultural programs – it’s almost like being right there in Belarus,” said Sandra.
Daugavpils resident Dace said: “I haven’t caught such broadcasts. But it’s important to me that every resident receives accurate information. The kind that is important for Latvia.”
It should be noted that Latvian Radio 4 in Latgale previously used other frequencies, which now broadcast content in Latvian. The Radio Belarus broadcasts come on the frequency formerly used by Latvian Radio 4 in Rīga.
Not only the border region
Belarusian radio can be heard not only in the border areas and of course cross-border broadcasts are as old as the medium itself, and were particularly important during the Cold War with Radio Moscow pumping out its message in one direction and Voice of America and Radio Free Europe going in the opposite direction.
Nevertheless, the Latvian Ministry of Culture does see the Belarusian broadcasts as a potential threat of sorts.
“What is heard is, to a certain extent, a threat to our information space,” says Kārlis Dagilis, advisor to the Minister of Culture, commenting on the reception of Belarusian radio messages in Latvia.
In Riga, Latvian Radio 4 (LR4) used to broadcast on frequency 107.7, but it did not reach Daugavpils. At the same time, Belarusian media could already be heard in Daugavpils on frequency 107.7 in Braslav. Since the closure of LR4, this frequency has become free, so, probably due to the influence of atmospheric conditions, Belarusian propaganda also reaches Latvian listeners beyond the border.
The advisor to the Minister of Culture has contacted the Chairman of the National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP) regarding this issue.
“We started looking for solutions. I understand that NEPLP and the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC) have found this solution between themselves – to silence this Riga frequency, which this Belarusian radio has taken. But it remains to be seen what the LVRTC will calculate the costs might be,” said Dagilis.
NEPL Council Chairman Ivars Āboliņš said: “Respectively, this would suppress any possibility of any unfriendly radio stations getting here, even if only by chance, but NEPLP can grant such permission. But further, how to do it and where to find funding, that is a matter for the Ministry of Culture and LVRTC, which NEPLP cannot influence in any way.”
When asked who would provide the funding, Dagilis said that “we haven’t got that far at the moment.” Dagilis admitted that the institutions would have to come together to find solutions.
The state-owned company “Elektroniskie sakari” (“Electronic Communications”) manages the radio frequency spectrum and numbering in Latvia. The company controls the use of frequencies in accordance with the regulations. The institution confirmed that no violations of power or other technical parameters have been found.
Its senior expert on broadcasting issues Juris Rencis said: “If we look at an area where the Braslav station is more or less stably received – it is only in the border area. And nothing has changed in this area. On the other hand, if we look further towards Riga, then under certain conditions it is possible to receive the Braslav station, but it is not really an option for an ordinary listener, that is, using technical means intended for this purpose and the weather conditions must also be appropriate.”
Rencis reminded that the distribution of radio waves does not end at the state border. But if Belarus amplifies its signal, which would cause interference with the reception of our stations, action could be taken.
“It is to be expected that the other side will adhere to the rules for the use of international spectrum. If this does not happen, the only way to influence it is to raise this issue at the international level,” said Rencis.
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